Home > Indian History > History of India > Major Crops of Mughal India
Major Crops of Mughal India
Major Crops of Mughal India comprised food grains as well as cash crops. Among food grains, rice, wheat, millets, pulses, etc. were popular and sugarcane and cotton were popular cultivated cash crops.

Share this Article:

Major Crops of Mughal IndiaMajor crops of Mughal India included both rabi and kharif crops. In fact, production of a large number of crops was one of the main aspects of agriculture in Mughal India. The main basis of the economy of that era was agriculture and thus, cultivation of good quality crops was an integral part. Historical records show that in and around the province of Agra near about 16 rabi crops while 25 kharif crops used to be cultivated. Further, allowing for two crops that were common to both the harvests, near about 39 crops were being cultivated within a year in almost every revenue circle of the province. Lists of taxed crops are likewise extensive for the other provinces. Like for instance, in southern region of Gujarat, near Surat, official surveys in 1595-96 recorded around 16 crops in land that was not larger than 19.4 hectares. It was also believed that peasants of Mughal India possessed the skills as well as the knowledge to deal in a large stock of crops whose cultivation was supported by the tropical climate.

Different cropping patterns were observed in Mughal India. In the production of food grains, Mughal India had broad division of rice, wheat and millet zones. It included Assam valley, Bengal and Orissa on the eastern coast and region around Tamil, narrow strip along the western coasty and Kashmir. Rice was cultivated to the virtual exclusion of wheat and millets. In Bihar, Allahabad and Awadh rice enjoyed a partial domain. It was mostly cultivated in Gujarat, especially in southern coastal belt. Rice was one of the major crops cultivated in the Sindh province because of well irrigation facilities from the Indus River and its branches. Another most important food cultivated was wheat. It was largely cultivated throughout the province of Bengal. Further, like wheat, barley also grew abundantly mostly in the central plains and Gujarat.

The region of millets coincides mostly with that of the region of wheat cultivation. As a result, jowar and bajra were not cultivated in and around the province of Allahabad. However, in the western province, jowar was the main kharif crop, while wheat was the main cultivated rabi crop. In Ajmer, Gujarat, and Khandesh, millets dominated over cereals. Pulses were also cultivated in huge quantities. Maize was another most important food crop cultivated in India during Mughal rule. It was cultivated as a kharif crop and mostly around the province of eastern Rajasthan.

Major Crops of Mughal India Major crops cultivated in Mughal India also included `cash crops`. In that period, cash crops were popularly known as `high-grade crops`, chiefly grown for the market. Sugarcane and Cotton were the two most popular crops belonging to the category of cash crops. Cotton was mostly cultivated throughout the northern region of the country and was also considered as an important crop in Bengal province. However, subsequent development of sea-trade and construction of the railways increased cotton cultivation in certain regions as compared to other crops. Moreover, the cultivation of sugarcane was quite widespread in Mughal times, even more than that of cotton. At that time, Bengal sugar was pre-eminent both in volume of output and quality. However, the cultivation of sugarcane subsequently declined in Bengal.

Cultivation of oilseed crops was also popular during Mughal reign. Its cultivation was mostly prominent in Bengal. Some fibre yielding crops as well as dye-yielding crops were also grown. Indigo cultivation was also popular to some extent. Bhang plant was also largely cultivated, although Aurangzeb ordered it to be completely exterminated. Another notable feature of the agricultural pattern under Mughal rule (around 17th century) was the introduction and rapid extension of the cultivation of tobacco. During the reign of Shah Jahan, tobacco had found a place in the perfumery of aristocratic households. Coffee as a beverage had become familiar to aristocratic and polite society. It was imported from the Arabian Peninsula and Abyssinia. However, a particular variety was being grown in the southern region of Maharashtra. Tea was not cultivated anywhere, not even in Assam.

The crops cultivated in Mughal India also consisted of spices; pepper was commercially the most important article. Long pepper was largely cultivated in Bengal, and mostly in the southern ranges of the Western Ghats. Capsicum or chilli and Saffron were almost unknown to Mughal India. Different types of vegetables were also widely cultivated in Mughal India.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.